CONDITIONALS
A conditional sentence is made up of two parts: an if-clause and a main clause. When the if-clause comes before the main clause, the two clauses are separated with a comma. When the main clause comes before the if-clause, then no comma is necessary.
EXAMPLE: If Tom arrives early, we’ll have dinner together. (If-clause comes before main clause. Comma required.)
EXAMPLE: We’ll have dinner together if Tom arrives early. (Main clause comes before the if-clause. No comma required.)
There are three main types of conditional. They are commonly referred to as the first, second and third conditionals (or the Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 conditionals.)
The past perfect tense is used in the if clause, and the tense in the main clause is the prefect conditional. EXAMPLE: If you had planned what to do, you would have done it successfully.
The main clause can come before the if-clause, as follow:
Would expresses a desired or predictable result.
could expresses a possible option.
We use Type 3 conditionals to:
EXAMPLE: If you had taken up teaching, you would have been better off.
EXAMPLE: If I had completed my education, I would have been somebody else today.
EXAMPLE: If I had set up a business, I would have become very rich.
EXAMPLE: If she had been patient, she would have got what she wanted.
A conditional sentence is made up of two parts: an if-clause and a main clause. When the if-clause comes before the main clause, the two clauses are separated with a comma. When the main clause comes before the if-clause, then no comma is necessary.
EXAMPLE: If Tom arrives early, we’ll have dinner together. (If-clause comes before main clause. Comma required.)
EXAMPLE: We’ll have dinner together if Tom arrives early. (Main clause comes before the if-clause. No comma required.)
There are three main types of conditional. They are commonly referred to as the first, second and third conditionals (or the Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 conditionals.)
- The first conditional
- The second conditional
- The third conditional
- The First Conditional
The simple present tense is used in the if clause, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future tense.
EXAMPLE: If you leave now, you’ll arrive home early.
EXAMPLE: If I see him tomorrow, I’ll tell him the good news. (I might see him tomorrow)
EXAMPLE: If you continue to feel better, you will be out of the hospital soon.
EXAMPLE: If you don’t hurry, we are going to miss the train. |
- The Second Conditional
The simple past tense is used in the if clause, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional. EXAMPLE: If he asked, we would explain everything.
We use Type 2 conditionals to describe:
EXAMPLE: If I were younger, I would do things differently. Although the above two examples can use was instead of were as follow, the use of were is more formal. EXAMPLE: If your father was alive, he would be very proud of you. EXAMPLE: If I was younger, I would do things differently.
EXAMPLE: If we earned more money, we would buy a bigger house. (We don’t earn more money)
EXAMPLE: If my parents restored their broken relationship, I’d* be very happy. (It’s unlikely they will do that)
EXAMPLE: If I married her, I would be the happiest man alive. (* ‘would’ is often shortened to ‘d) |
- The Third Conditional
The past perfect tense is used in the if clause, and the tense in the main clause is the prefect conditional. EXAMPLE: If you had planned what to do, you would have done it successfully.
‘If’ Clause | Main Clause |
If + past perfect tense | would/could/might + perfect infinitive (to have) |
If you had planned what to do | you would have done it successfully. |
Would + perfect infinitive (to have) | if + past perfect tense |
You would have done it successfully | if you had planned what to do |
could expresses a possible option.
We use Type 3 conditionals to:
- express disappointment or regret about things that not possible to happen now.
EXAMPLE: If you had taken up teaching, you would have been better off.
- talk about things that should have happened in the past, but didn’t.
EXAMPLE: If I had completed my education, I would have been somebody else today.
- imagine unrealistic situations
EXAMPLE: If I had set up a business, I would have become very rich.
- express criticism.
EXAMPLE: If she had been patient, she would have got what she wanted.
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